Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 8: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah today called out forces stoking controversy over the Urdu language, saying the party remains steadfast in defending Urdu’s cultural, administrative, and religious centrality in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued from the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, he said the forces attempting to manufacture outrage over the issue are doing so to camouflage their own historic blunders and political failures, asserting that the people of J&K are fully aware of who safeguarded the identity of the language and who undermined it for narrow political gains.
Taking a sharp dig at People’s Democratic Party, Dr Farooq said they have deliberately raked up the Urdu issue to deflect attention from their own political compromises and backdoor dealings during the Rajya Sabha elections. He said those who shook hands with the BJP for political survival are now attempting to exploit emotional issues to mislead the public and whitewash their record of betrayal.
He reiterated that NC remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguard the unique identity, linguistic heritage, and cultural ethos of J&K. Dr Farooq further said the party will continue to stand as a bulwark against every attempt to erode the region’s distinct character, assuring the people that NC will fiercely defend their rights, traditions, and aspirations at every political and constitutional forum.
“Urdu does not belong to any one religion; it is a language of the people. It was rightly introduced in this region by the Dogra rulers, as it helped to connect different communities, cultures, regions, and walks of life. Over time, it has evolved into a shared heritage of J&K, acting as a unifying thread across society. The region has produced great Urdu poets from non-Muslim backgrounds as well, which itself reflects its inclusive and composite character. Urdu remains the sole linguistic bridge that continues to connect our people.”
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